Get the Children Out! Unsung heroes of the Kindertransport

by Mike Levy

Mike Levy shines a light on the courageous deeds of twenty-two women and men who transformed the lives of the Kindertransport and other refugees.

In 1938, when the Government refused to act and those around them turned a blind eye, these heroic individuals took it upon themselves to orchestrate one of the greatest lifesaving missions the world has ever seen.

Until now the compelling accounts of these extraordinary rescue missions have remained untold.

Mike Levy is a researcher for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Association for Jewish Refugees, an educator with the Holocaust Education Trust and Chair of The Harwich Kindertransport Memorial and Learning Trust.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Holocaust

292 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2022

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was a refreshing book related to the kindertransport/ holocaust, showing the variety of people who supported or organised the support of children , Jewish and non Jewish, fleeing nazi occupied Europe in 1938/9. This has some comparisons to the current issues for Ukrainian refugees with political restrictions on who was allowed to come to the UK , and in 38/9 parents weren’t allowed to come , and sponsors had to find £50 (£3000 today) which was meant to pay for the children to return, as well as the costs of support. My great aunt and uncle were kindertransport hosts, so I think this book is the nearest Ihave seen to tell similar stories to theirs.

[Vivien Sieber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed description of individuals who worked behind the scenes to rescue children and adults from Nazi Germany. Dense text based on thorough research.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to some of the unsung men and women involved in the Kindertransport.

[Jane Wilson-Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess many of us thought we knew about the kindertransport in response to Hitler's 'final solution' but reading this book showed me just how little I knew. It tells the story of the enormous challenges even of saving those who could escape. Fascinatingly there was an early wave evacuating 3800 unaccompanied children escaping the Spanish civil war in 1938 and this - sadly - proved useful experience to the British citizens rescuing children from the Nazis. 'Get the Children Out' sings the praises of a whole quiet army of people who worked so hard to facilitate the escape and therefore survival of 10,000 innocents. And it showed how even when we were at war, our government could be humane.
It makes especially poignant reading given other wars that continue to drive people to flee their homes today.
And if the film One Life moved you, I'd say this is essential reading.